Switzerland has some of the world’s best hiking routes, and Stoos Ridge is one of them. Regardless of whether you’re a well-horned hiker, beginner, or somewhere in between, this hiking route is doable and worth visiting. Discover how to plan your trip, starting with a ride on the world’s steepest funicular (110% gradient) followed by one of the most scenic routes.
Stoos Ride Hike: What to know
- Level: Moderate
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Distance: 4.4 km (one way)
- When to visit: June to October
- Ticket prices: CHF 56 for adults and 20 CHF for children 6-15
- When in doubt, follow the signs.
TRAVEL RESOURCES
- Transportation: Trainline, Rentalcars, and DiscoverCars
- Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking and Agoda
- Activities: GetYourGuide, Viator and Trip Advisor
Getting to Stoos Ridge
Stoos Ridge is located 58 km from Zürich and 33 km from Lucerne, less than an hour’s drive from both cities. However, you can’t drive to Stoos, as it’s a car-free village. So, you’ll have to park your car at Schwyz and then take the funicular.
Find an affordable car from DisoverCars and Rentalcars.
You can also take public transport to Schwyz. The only downside is that you’ll have to take a train and the bus to get to Stoos, so leave early. Take the train to Schwyz, Bahnhof, and then take bus number 1 to Schwyz Stoosbahn, which will take you to the funicular.
Beginning your Stoos Ridge Hike
1. Schwyz to Stoos
Once you’ve made it to Schwyz, you can purchase your ticket to Stoos here.
Next up, ride the Stoos funicular, one of the highlights of this trip.
It may also pique your interest to know that this is the steepest funicular in the whole world, so it’s worth taking if you want to experience something cool and also save some time.
2. Arrival at Stoos
When you make it to Stoos Village, you’ll be welcomed by an array of holiday homes, restaurants, and resorts. There’s also a grocery store where you can shop for items that you might need on your trip. This will also be your chance to use the bathroom because you won’t come across another one until you’ve made it up.
Which way should you hike?
Some people wonder about which side to begin their hike with. You can begin or end your hike by cable car or hike up and down if you’re really up for it.
Most people begin their hike from Klingenstock and make their way to Fronalpstock. While you can still enjoy the same views either way, the route is more scenic and enjoyable when you begin from Klingenstock. You’ll pass many beautiful lakes, including Lake Lucerne, and get to relax at Fronalpstock Summit Restaurant at the end of your hike.
Note: While the ridge looks straight, it isn’t. You’ll have to climb up and down, and for safety purposes, the stairs are protected by a barrier.
Stoos Ridge Hike from Klingenstock To Fronalpstock
Once you’re ready, begin your hike by heading toward Klingenstock.
From here, you can hike up the ridge and enjoy the scenic views with mountain backdrops and lakes. For frequent hikers, this route should take about 2 hours, depending on your speed. If you rarely hike, this hike might take you a little longer.
Believe it or not, but with multiple water and snack breaks, my friend and I completed the hike in about 6 hours.
But it was 6 hours well spent! We saw cattle grazing in the fields, elderly couples on their regular weekend hike, deep blue lakes, and little wooden stables.
When you finally get to Fronalpstock, you can stop for a drink or enjoy a local meal at the beautiful Fronalpstock Summit Restaurant. Besides enjoying the view, you can also pet the little goats here, which both children and adults enjoy.
Completing your Stoos Ridge Hike
Once you’ve taken in all the views, petted the goats, and enjoyed a congratulatory drink for a successful hike, it’s time to plan your way back. Take the chairlift from Fronalpstock station and enjoy the scenic route to Stoos.
Here, you’ll see a few restaurants, cafés, and the beautiful church at Stoos. You can then take the funicular down to Schwyz to complete your trip.
Where to stay
While it’s possible to do Stoos in just one day, you might want to stay somewhere near Stoos. A few great options include:
- Stoos Hut: located 5 minutes from Klingenstock chair lift.
- Fronalpstock Mountain Hotel: modern hotel with a large sun terrace.
- Swiss Holiday Park Resort Morschach: family-friendly resort with indoor and outdoor pools, go-karts, and thermal baths
Browse more hotels near the Stoos Ridge
Enjoying the views without hiking
If you’d still like to enjoy the views from the Stoos without having to hike, here’s what you can do:
- From Schwyz, take the funicular to Stoos.
- Head to the Fronalspstock cable car station.
- Take the chairlift up to Fronalpstock.
- Once you’ve reached Fronalpstock, head to the restaurant or stroll to enjoy the views. The terrain is generally flat, so it won’t be much of a hike.
